How much does a subway operator make?

In the United States, experience and sought-after qualifications can raise pay, while the transit agency and city also matter. Work hours differ too, so people who work more hours may take home more overall.

Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.

What's a typical day like?

From the cab, operators watch signals and hazards, work the controls and doors, and keep the train on schedule. They radio dispatch about delays or problems and announce stops to passengers.

In the United States, finish high school or earn a GED, then meet the local transit agency’s hiring rules; New York’s MTA may require a driver’s license and work experience. Pass its written test and medical checks, then complete the agency’s training.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

New York’s subway-operator hiring test checks memory, math, problem-solving, and reasoning—not just whether you can drive a train.